Release Issued by Panasonic:
New 10.1-Megapixel, 12x Optical Zoom Digital Camera Panasonic LUMIX DMC-FZ50
Read our News Story:
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2, FX07, FX50 and FZ50 digital cameras announced.
Featuring Intelligent Image Stabilizer by MEGA O.I.S. and World’s First* Intelligent ISO Control
*For a digital still camera, as of July 19, 2006.
Panasonic today introduced the 10.1-megapixel LUMIX DMC-FZ50 with MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) featuring powerful 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 35 mm to 420 mm on a 35 mm film camera) f/2.8 LEICA DC lens, as a successor to the DMC-FZ30, which has received high acclaim worldwide.
The DMC-FZ50 boasts a 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD for its image sensor and Venus Engine III for the image processing LSI, making it possible to record a image at max. ISO 1600 high sensitivity setting at full resolution. Furthermore, by dramatically reducing the noise levels that challenged its predecessor, the DMC-FZ50 is able to capture 10.1-megapixel full resolution images even in high sensitivity recording.
To fight against the major cause of blurred images, Panasonic invented the MEGA O.I.S. system taking advantage of its superior lens technology to compensate for handshake – a feature which has long been incorporated into the LUMIX range of cameras. In addition, to also compensate for the other major cause of blurred images – movement of the subject – the FZ50 is also equipped with the world’s first* Intelligent ISO Control (hereafter I.I.C.) and max. ISO 1600 high sensitivity recording capabilities within the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III. When set to the I.I.C., the Venus Engine III detects the subject’s movement and adjusts the ISO setting and shutter speed to best suit the subject movement and the light condition automatically. Panasonic’s excellent image stabilizing system allows users to take clear, crisp images in any situation automatically, leaving everything to the camera.
From a point of view of further improving the usability of its predecessor, the DMC-FZ50 is equipped with a new Function Button which serves as a shortcut to quickly set frequently-used settings such as recording image size, light metering, AF area, white balance, and ISO sensitivity. Also, thanks to the newly incorporated custom setting function, your frequent setting patterns can be memorized and it can be instantly applied by simply selecting this function with the mode dial. The 2-inch LCD flips out to 180 degrees, making it easier to view even when shooting from high or low angles. As for optional accessories, the DMC-FZ50 is now compatible with TTL external flashes. Finally, the battery life is greatly extended by approx. 29% compared with its predecessor allowing the FZ50 to shoot approx. 360 images on one charge* (CIPA).
The LUMIX DMC-FZ50 faithfully inherits the well received basic specifications from its predecessor FZ30 such as the manual focus ring and manual zoom ring, yet enhances the image sensor up to 10.1-megapixel. Noise is drastically reduced with this new FZ50 achieving a rendition of even higher quality images. The DMC-FZ50 is bound to spark the imagination of high-end users and join the Panasonic LUMIX high-end model lineup.
* Based on the CIPA standard.
1.10.1-megapixel CCD and f/2.8 12x optical zoom LEICA DC lens
The DMC-FZ50 includes a 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD and the f/2.8 LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT 12x optical zoom (equivalent to 35 mm to 420 mm with a 35 mm film camera) lens. The lens unit is comprised of fourteen elements in ten groups including three aspherical lenses and an ED lens, All these are incorporated to generate low distortion and high optical performance while preserving the compactness of the unit. The Extra Optical Zoom, made possible by using the center part of the 10.1-megapixel high resolution CCD, further extends the powerful 12x optical zoom to up to 21.4x for 3-megapixel image recording (17.1x for 5-megapixel and13.4x for 8-megapixel recording). High resolution images with richer gradation are always assured with these LEICA DC 12x optical zoom lens and the 10.1-Megapixel CCD.
2.More than just a MEGA O.I.S., LUMIX’s image stabilizing system further evolves
Taking advantage of its superior lens technology, Panasonic invented the MEGA O.I.S.(Optical Image Stabilizer) system to fight against the major cause of blurred images. It compensates for handshake and is now featured on the entire LUMIX range, and has been highly evaluated and appreciated by the users across the world. Every slight hand-shake movement is detected accurately with the sampling frequency at 4,000 times per second and will be compensated to render clear, sharp images. In addition, movement of the subject, the other major cause of blurred images, is suppressed by the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine III with the Intelligent ISO Control (hereafter I.I.C.) and max.ISO1600 high sensitivity recording capabilities. The world’s first incorporation* of this I.I.C. allows the automatic adjustment of the suitable ISO setting and shutter speed that best suits the situation by analyzing the speed of subject movement. If the subject is moving, the ISO setting would automatically rise to allow high shutter speed. On the other hand, if the subject is still and no movement is detected, you can take beautiful natural images with a low ISO setting.
Accordingly the new LUMIX automatically takes the best countermeasures against any causes of blurred images with MEGA O.I.S. compensating for hand-shake and the I.I.C. compensating for movement of the subject. Image stabilizing system is further evolving with LUMIX.
*For a digital still camera, as of July 19, 2006.
3. Dramatically reduced noise with Venus Engine III
The DMC-FZ50 adopts the Venus Engine III to realize high sensitivity recording at max. ISO 1600 at full resolution. The noise reduction system is greatly improved by removing noise at the processing stages in series. First, critical noise is roughly undraped and the chromatic noise and the luminance noise are separated to respectively go through the supplemental noise reduction process so that the remaining noise is appropriately minimised. In addition, chromatic aberration is also reduced so beautiful images are assured even in telephoto shooting.
Despite the significantly increased performance of the camera, the Venus Engine III consumes only 80% of the power utilized by the Venus Engine II and is able to achieve a longer battery life of approx. 360 pictures (CIPA) on a single charge. With its multi-task image processing capability, the Venus Engine III also boasts outstanding response time with an industry-leading level of shutter release time lag of as short as 0.009 sec*. minimum and the shutter interval of 0.8 sec*. Together with the fast startup time of approx. 0.7 sec., the quick response of DMC-FZ50 enables easy capture of those spur-of-the-moment shots. The DMC-FZ50 also allows unlimited consecutive shooting up to the capacity of the SD/SDHC memory card***.
* Not including the time for AF.
**The number of recordable pictures depends on the memory card size, battery life, picture size and image compression.
4. Intensifying functionality in pursuit of full manual controllability
The DMC-FZ50 succeeds the high operational ease and the good design that have been highly acclaimed with its predecessor DMC-FZ30. Two exclusive rings on the lens barrel provide manual control of zooming and focusing, allowing quick and fine control that cannot be achieved with button or lever operation. This feature will be highly valued by high-end users not only for its precise controllability but also for the feeling of manual operation. With the two dials located under the index finger and the thumb, you can compensate the exposure directly in addition to the shutter speed and the aperture smoothly and naturally. The newly added Function Button serves as a shortcut exclusively for the commonly used settings such as recording image size, light metering, AF area, white balance, and ISO sensitivity, allowing them to be set easily.
For further improvement, your frequent setting patterns can be memorized and can be instantly applied by just selecting the newly incorporated custom setting function. White balance now can be finely adjusted with a reference to the horizontal axis for amber to blue and vertical axis for green to magenta. Furthermore two composition guideline patterns can be overlaid on the normal shooting screen.
5. Free-angle LCD and high resolution EVF to extend shooting potential
The 2.0-inch flip-out 207k high resolution LCD is adjustable to 180 degrees both vertically and horizontally. This assists smooth shooting even in high- and low-angle shooting positions. The pixel mixed readout method performed at the CCD achieves high sensitivity to offer sufficient brightness for easy shooting even in low-lit situations. The Power LCD function boosts the brightness level by 40% to secure clear view even in sunny outdoors. The DMC-FZ50 is also equipped with the 235 k pixels high resolution EVF to encourage active shooting. Not OVF but EVF can provide the benefit of being able to check white balance, real-time histogram and the DOF(depth of field) before shooting.
6. Faster AF
The AF mode can be selected according to the shooting situation: 9-point, 3-point high speed, 1-point high speed, 1-point normal speed and Spot. In the 1-point and 1-point high speed AF mode, the AF area is selectable from the nine focusing areas with the joystick to best fit the composition of the subjects. Also, the AF assist lamp facilitates quick, accurate focusing in situations where focusing is difficult due to the lack of light.
7. Clear, bright, wide VGA motion image recording for viewing on wide screen TV
In addition to standard VGA (640x480) at 30 fps motion image recording, the DMC-FZ50 also records stunning full-size movies in wide-aspect VGA (848x480) at 30 fps. Shooting is one thing but viewing is another, and you will be suitably impressed by the 16:9 moving image when it is displayed on a wide screen TV. The brightness level of these motion images is also enhanced as a result of the pixel mixed readout method performed by the CCD. Zooming in while recording motion images is also possible with the manual zoom ring, while image clarity is secured by the Optical Image Stabilizer.
8. Included software and optional accessories
To edit and develop RAW files, the “SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE” software application is bundled with the DMC-FZ50. Using this software, you can freely adjust various setting such as exposure, white balance, and so on afterward with the RAW files to take maximum advantage of digital camera photography enjoyment.
The DMC-FZ50 is compatible with all the same accessories as the FZ30. In addition to those, the DMC-FZ50 is also compatible with the TTL external flash (GN50 or GN36). This expandability enhances the potential of shooting to make DMC-FZ50 a true high end camera.
DMW-LT55 Tele conversion lens
DMW-LW55 Wide conversion lens
DMW-LND55 ND filter
DMW-LMC55 MC protector
DMW-LC55 Close-up lens
DMW-RSL1 Remote shutter
DMW-AC7 AC adaptor
CGR-S006 Lithium ion Battery (710 mAh)
DMW-FL500 External Flash (GN50)
DMW-FL360 External Flash (GN36)
DMC-CZA30 Leather Case
DMC-FZ50 Specifications
Colour: (Europe)S-Sliver, K-Black
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | Approx. 140.75 x 85.5 x 142mm ( 5.54 x 3.37 x 5.59 inch)
|
| Weight | Approx. 668 g. (1.47lb)
Approx. 734 g with Battery and SD Memory Card (1.62lb)
|
| Camera Effective Pixels | 10.1 Mega pixels
|
| Image Sensor | 1/1.8", 10.4 Mega Total Pixels CCD
Primary Color Filter
|
| Optical Zoom | 12 x
|
| Extra Optical Zoom | 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 13.4x for 8Mega, 17.1x for 5Mega, 21.4x for 3Mega, 2Mega
3:2 Aspect Ratio:13.4x for 7Mega, 17.1x for 4.5Mega, 21.4x for 2.5Mega
16:9 Aspect Ratio: 13.4x for 5.5Mega, 21.4x for 2Mega
|
| Digital Zoom | 2x / 4 x pre-select
( Max. 48 x combined with Optical Zoom without Extra Optical Zoom )
(Max. 85.5x combined with Extra Optical Zoom)
|
| Focal Distance | f=7.4-88.8mm (35mm Equiv.: 35-420mm)
|
| Lens | LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT
14 elements in 10 groups
(3 Aspherical Lenses / 3 Aspherical surfaces, 1 ED Lens)
|
| Aperture | Wide: F2.8 - F11 Tele:F3.7 - F11
|
| Optical Image Stabilizer | MEGA O.I.S. (Mode1 / Mode2)
|
| Conversion lens Compatibility | Yes
|
| Focusing Area | AF: Wide 30cm/ Tele 200cm - infinity
Macro/ MF: Wide 5cm/Tele 200cm - infinity
|
| AF Metering | 1-point/ 1-point high speed/ 3-point high speed/ 9-point/ Spot
|
| Focus | AF / AF Macro / MF switchable
Manual Focus (Ring) / Continuous AF: On/Off
|
| AF Assist Lamp | Yes
|
| ISO Sensitivity | Auto / I.ISO / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800 / 1600
(High Sensitivity Mode : 3200)
|
| White Balance | Auto/Daylight/Cloudy/Shade/Halogen/Flash/White Set1/2
White Balance Adjustment ( 150K step, -1500 - +1500 K) (except for auto WB)
|
| Exposure | Auto, Program AE, Aperture Priority AE, Shutter Priority AE, Manual
|
| Exposure Compensation | 1/3 EV step, -2 - +2 EV
|
| Backlight Compensation | Yes (at auto mode)
|
| Auto (AE) Bracketing | +/- 1/3 EV -1EV step, 3 frames
|
| Light Metering | Intelligent Multiple/ Center Weighted/ Spot
|
| Scene Mode | Dial: Auto, P(Program) mode, A(AperturePriority) Mode, S(Shutter Priority) Mode, M(Manual) mode,
SCN (Portrait, Soft Skin, Scenery, Sports, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Panning, Food,
Party, Candle, Fireworks, Snow, Starry Sky, Baby1, Baby2, Snow, High sensitivity)
Motion picture, Playback, Custom
|
| Shutter Speed | Auto : 1/4 - 1/2000sec.
Program AE : 1 - 1/2000sec.
Aperture Priority AE / Shutter Priority AE : 8 - 1/2000sec.
Manual : 60 - 1/2000sec.
|
| Self Timer | 10 sec / 2sec
|
| Auto Review | 1sec/3sec/zoom
|
| Review | 1x / 4x / 8x
|
| Picture Adjustment | Contrast: Low, Standard, High
Sharpness: Low, Standard, High
Saturation: Low, Standard, High
Noise Reduction: Low, Standard, High
|
| Color Effect Mode | Cool, Warm, Black & White, Sepia
|
| Recording Format | Still Image: JPEG(Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif 2.2 standard), DPOF corresponding
image with audio: JPEG (Design rule for Camera File system, based on Exif2.2 standard)+ QuickTime
Motion images: QuickTime Motion JPEG
RAW
|
| Recording Image Size | Still Image: 4:3 Aspect Ratio: 3648 x 2736 pixels, 3264 x 2448 pixels, 2560 x 1920 pixels,
2048 x 1536 pixels,1600 x 1200 pixels
3:2 Aspect Ratio:3600 x 2400 pixels, 3248 x 2160 pixels, 2560 x 1712 pixels, 2048 x 1360 pixels
16:9 Aspect Ratio:3584 x 2016 pixels, 3072 x 1728 pixels, 1920 x 1080 pixels
|
| Image Quality | RAW / Fine / Standard
|
| Motion Picture | 16:9 Aspect Ratio: 848 x 480 pixels, 30 fps / 10 fps
4:3 Aspect Ratio: 640 x 480 pixels, 30 fps / 10 fps
320 x 240 pixels, 30 fps / 10 fps
Max. recording time depends on Memory Card Capacity (Max. 2GB for a motion picture)
|
| Burst Shooting Mode | Full-Resolution Image, 2 frames/sec or 1 frames/sec
Full-resolution: Max. 5 images (Standard mode), Max 3 images (Fine Mode)
|
| Unlimited consecutive shooting | Yes
|
| Still Image Rec. with Audio | 5 sec
|
| Audio Dubbing | Max. 10sec
|
| Real-time histogram | Yes
|
| Composition Guide line | Yes (2 patterns)
|
| Built-in-Memory | -
|
| Scene Mode Help Screen | Yes
|
| Auto Angle Detection | Yes
|
| Flip Animation | Yes
|
| Travel Date / World Time | Yes / Yes
|
| Built-in-Flash | Auto, Auto/Red-eye Reduction, Slow Sync./Red-eye Reduction, Forced On/Off
Flash output Adjustment (1/3EV step, -2 - +2 EV)
Wide: 0.3 - 7.0m, Tele: 0.3 - 5.3m (ISO Auto)
|
| External Flash | Hot Shoe (TTL Auto)
|
| Viewfinder | 0.44" Color EVF (235K Pixels), Field of View : approx. 100%
|
| LCD Monitor | Free-angle 2.0" Polycrystalline TFT LCD Display (207 K Pixels)
Field of View : approx. 100%
Power LCD mode
|
| Playback mode | 25-thumbnail display, 9-thumbnail display, calendar display,
zoomed playback (16x max.),
image rotation (except for RAW), Slide show (duration is adjustable, also manual controllable),
Playback of favorite pictures, Out-of-frame display
Resizing (selectable number of pixels), trimming, protection, DPOF print setting
|
| OSD language | For Europe
English,German,French,Italian,Spanish,Polish,Czech,Hungarian,Netherlandic,Japanese
For U.K. and France
English,German,French,Italian,Spanish,Japanese
For Russia
Russian,English,German,French,Italian,Spanish,Chinese(Traditional)
|
| Recording Media | SD Memory Card, SDHC Memory Card, MultiMediaCard
|
| Microphone | Yes
|
| Speaker | Yes
|
| Interface | DC Input, A/V Output (NTSC/PAL), USB
|
| Direct Print | PictBridge
|
| Power | Li-ion Battery Pack (7.2V, 710mAh) (Included)
Battery Charger/AC Adaptor (Input: 110-240V AC) (Optional)
|
| Battery life (approx.) | 360 pictures (CIPA Standard)*1 / 360 pictures (with EVF)
|
| Included Software | LUMIX Simple Viewer, PhotofunStudio -viewer-
SILKYPIX Developer Studio 2.0SE
ArcSoft Camera Suite (ArcSoft PhotoImpression, ArcSoft PanoramaMaker)
Adobe Reader, Quick Time, USB Driver
|
| Standard Accessories | Battery Charger, Battery Pack, SD Memory Card (32 MB)
Lens Cap, Lens Hood, AV Cable, USB Connection Cable
AC Cable, Strap, CD-ROM
|
*1. Shooting conditions: 23C with 50% humidity; LCD on; using the enclosed SD Memory Card; starting to shoot 30 seconds after turning on the power; shooting once every 30 seconds with the flash in full operation for every other shot; changing the zoom setting from telephoto to wide, or wide to telephoto, for each shot; and temporarily turning the power off after each 10 shots (long enough to lower the battery temperature).
*Some accessories are not available in some countries.
*The use of recorded or printed materials that are protected by copyright for any purpose other than personal enjoyment is prohibited, as it would infringe upon the rights of the copyright holder.
*Leica is a registered trademark of Leica Microsystems IR GmbH.
*The LEICA DC VARIO-ELMARIT lenses are manufactured using measurement instruments and quality assurance systems that have been certified by Leica Camera AG based on the company’s quality standards.
*All other company and product names are trademarks of their respective corporations.
*QuickTime and the QuickTime logo are used under license. QuickTime is a registered trademark in the U.S. and other countries.
*This unit is compatible with both SD Memory cards and SDHC Memory cards. You can only use SDHC Memory cards on devices that are compatible with them. You cannot use SDHC Memory cards on devices that are only compatible with SD Memory cards. (When using a SDHC Memory card on another device, be sure to read the operating instructions for that device.)
